Earlier this month and without much warning, arguably the East Bay’s most interesting pop-up quietly launched in West Oakland, a neighborhood known more for being a food desert than a bastion of culinary experimentation.

At its core, Assil said, the project is a chance to breathe new life into the neighborhood while also placing a spotlight on the work being done by women of color in the Bay Area restaurant world.

“Residents have been for a long time saying they want a place to chill with good food options,” Assil said. “All three of our businesses are about the community-building aspect so it seamlessly ties us together.”

Technically, the pop-up series launched earlier this month, on Jan. 18. Wednesday night was the pop-up’s third day in action and the featured food belonged to Reem’s Bakery. Thursday night (Jan. 25), Minnie Bell’s will take over, followed by Mudita Ramen on Jan. 27 and then Reem’s again on Jan. 31.

“For me the collaboration is us creating a lane of our own as women of color chefs,” McPherson said. “Creating community and a space where folks can come get some bomb a— food.”